Members of the military, public servants, or scouts wear uniforms with emblems. Sometimes, you'll have to sew a new badge on your uniform after you've been promoted or gotten a new badge. Sewing the emblem can be done by hand or by machine. The process of sewing an emblem is quite simple and easy.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Sewing by Hand
Step 1. Wash, dry and iron your uniform before sewing
If your uniform is new, make sure you wash and dry it at least once before sewing the badge. If you don't do this, the fabric will shrivel unevenly under the badge when it's washed and dried for the first time.
- Many uniforms use cotton fabrics. Cotton fabrics generally shrink after the first wash. If you sew the badge before the uniform is washed for the first time, the fabric under the badge will shrivel up, pulling on the badge and making it look lumpy.
- Iron the area where you will attach the emblem before sewing. Ironing will remove wrinkles on the fabric. If you sew an emblem over a wrinkled area, your uniform will be smudged forever.
Step 2. Take the sewing needle and thread
Choose threads of the same color as the exterior of the emblem or of a uniform color.
- If you can't find yarn of the same color, look for a darker, similar color as possible.
- Dark colors will blend in better and won't stand out as much as lighter colors. You can also use transparent yarn to keep it out of sight.
Step 3. Put it in the right place
Some emblems such as those used on military uniforms must be placed in specific areas.
- For example, if you need to sew the emblem of the American flag, you should place it in the shoulder/biceps area of the arm. The flag must also be positioned in the right direction. When the wearer of the emblem walks forward, the flag should appear to be flying forward. Place the emblem in the position that creates the effect.
- Check with your boss to make sure you put the badge in the right place.
Step 4. Attach the emblem to the uniform using safety pins, then put on the uniform
This process is carried out to ensure the position of the emblem is correct. Ask someone else to check it out.
- Be careful when wearing a uniform with the badge still pinned. Wear it carefully so you don't get pinned.
- You should check the position of the emblem when the uniform is worn. When the uniform is worn, the uniform is filled with your body and can affect the appearance of the emblem.
Step 5. Glue the emblem before sewing
Use a pin or safety pin to attach the emblem. Or, you can use an ironing hem strip.
- Even if you won't be gluing the badge with an iron, you should still provide an ironing hem strip. This tool is better than a needle because it can attach the badge as you sew. You don't have to worry about sewing around the needle and stabbing yourself.
- Cut and place the ironing hem strip in the area where the badge will be applied. Place the emblem on the adhesive and iron it.
- If you're not ironing the emblem, you'll need to use a pin or safety pin.
Step 6. Cut the thread
If you are not used to sewing, cut the thread 45 cm long. Threads longer than 45 cm will usually tangle and be more difficult to work with than shorter threads.
- Or, don't cut the thread and leave it stuck to the spool. This will prevent the yarn from getting tangled.
- By leaving the thread on the spool, you don't have to worry about running out of thread and having to thread through the needle again.
Step 7. Thread the thread and make a knot at the end of the thread
You may find it difficult to thread the thread. If you have a tool for threading the needle, use it to save time.
If you don't have a threader, thread the thread and wet it with spit. Your saliva will act as a temporary adhesive to hold the threads together. This will make the process of threading the needle easier
Step 8. Start sewing
Start from the inside of the shirt and stick the needle outwards through the emblem.
You should start from the inside of the shirt so that the knot you have made to hold the thread is not visible. Start from the inside and stick the needle outwards
Step 9. Sew in a straight pattern
Insert the needle again at a point 6 mm from where the needle came out.
- The straight sewing pattern is the easiest and fastest way to sew an emblem. You don't need a complicated sewing pattern especially if you have ironed your emblem.
- The straight sewing pattern is also the sewing pattern with the least visible results.
Step 10. Continue sewing the emblem
Continue until you have sewn all the sides of the emblem. Stop when you reach your starting point.
When sewing emblems on uniforms, don't rush and make sure the stitches are the same distance and length. The stitches of the same length will make the emblem look better
Step 11. Make a knot
Once you've finished sewing all the sides of the emblem, make a loop with the thread, thread the needle through it, and pull to make a knot.
To finish the stitch, make a small loop of thread on the inside of the uniform. Insert the needle into the loop and pull firmly. This process will produce a strong knot
Step 12. Cut the end of the thread
Cut the remaining thread hanging outside the knot
Leave the thread hanging 1 cm long. Leaving a bit of thread ensures you don't accidentally cut the knot. Thread the remaining thread under the emblem
Method 2 of 3: Machine Sewing
Step 1. Iron your uniform
Before sewing, iron the uniform so it doesn't wrinkle.
Ironing the uniform before sewing will prevent you from sewing the badge over the fabric wrinkles and permanently wrinkle your uniform
Step 2. Place and arrange the emblem where you want it
Place the emblem on the uniform and make sure it is in the right place before starting to sew.
If you sew the emblem in the wrong place. You have to take it off and start over again
Step 3. Iron your emblem
Even if you won't be gluing the badge with an iron, it's a good idea to provide an ironing hem strip.
- Cut and place the ironing hem strip in the area where the badge will be applied. Place the emblem on the adhesive and iron it.
- If you don't iron the emblem, you will have to use a needle which will make the sewing process more troublesome.
Step 4. Lay the uniform on top of your sewing machine
Set the machine to a shorter needle length to sew the emblem. Set the machine to sew in a straight pattern. Raise the sewing machine shoe.
- Sewing machines have different features and capabilities. Read the user manual for best results.
- Make sure you only sew the emblem on one sheet of fabric. Sewing the emblem on the sleeves is more difficult. Roll up the other side of the sleeve that won't have the badge on so it doesn't get stitched and the armhole is completely covered.
Step 5. Thread the thread into the sewing machine
Place the thread in the bobbin section of the thread. The sewing machine manual will provide information on how to do this correctly. Generally, you should wind the thread attached to the thread holder through the bobbin. Position the skein of yarn in its holder and hook the yarn to the bobbin. Step on the foot pedal so that the bobbin is wrapped in the thread.
- Once the bobbin is fully wrapped, insert the bobbin into the correct position depending on the machine you have. Pull the thread through the correct components so that you can thread the thread into the sewing needle. Each machine has a different process. Follow the machine manual.
- Make sure you use the right colors. You should use a thread color that matches the emblem or transparent thread.
Step 6. Use low speed at the beginning
Your sewing machine may have several speed options. This speed regulates how fast the sewing needle moves. Use a low speed so you can control the sewing process well
Step 7. Start sewing
Step on the foot pedal to move the needle and move your garment until you have finished sewing the emblem.
- Rotate clothes and emblems at the same time. Make sure the sewing machine shoe is in the up position, but the needle remains in place.
- When you need to rotate clothes and emblems, raise the shoe of the machine so you can move the clothes. Make sure the needle doesn't move around so that your pattern is consistent.
- Once you have sewn all the sides of the emblem, lock the seams.
- Take the scissors and cut the remaining thread. Leave 1 cm of thread. Leave a little so you don't accidentally cut the knot.
Method 3 of 3: Sewing the Emblem on the Sleeve
Step 1. Remove the emblem that you need to replace using the thread dedel tool
If you need to change your badge because you've been promoted, you'll first need to grab the thread gripper and pull the thread off, then remove the badge.
- Pull off all the seams around the emblem.
- Remove any excess yarn using the clamping part of the threader.
- Do not use a razor as it is dangerous for you and the razor can damage clothes.
Step 2. Iron your clothes
Iron your sleeves or clothes so they don't wrinkle.
- The ironing process will also remove any remaining marks and holes from the previous emblem.
- Ironing your clothes before sewing will prevent you from sewing the badge over the wrinkled area and permanently stain your garment.
Step 3. Place the emblem in the right position
Make sure you put the badge in the right place before sewing or gluing it. If you sew an emblem on a military uniform, you will receive specific instructions on where the emblem is located.
- For example, the Navy stripe badge must end 51 mm above the wrist of the sleeve. Read the instructions so that you put the badge in the right place.
- You can use a needle or ironing hem strip to glue the badge in place.
- Using ironing hem strips is not a permanent solution. This adhesive is only used to attach the emblem when you are sewing. If you don't use a needle, you can sew without being blocked by the needle.
- If you are ironing an emblem, allow it to cool before sewing.
Step 4. Sew the emblem on the uniform
You can do this by hand or a sewing machine.
- Use yarn of a suitable color. Use a thread color that matches the outer edge of the emblem or use a transparent thread.
- If you're using a machine, make sure you roll up the part of the sleeve that you won't be sewing.
Step 5. Do it slowly
Don't rush so that you sew it right and don't have to redo the work from scratch.
- The level of difficulty in sewing depends on the location of the emblem. If the emblem is on the top of the sleeve, use the neck opening to separate the layers of fabric. If it's near your wrist, you'll want to be careful that you don't sew either side of the sleeves.
- Set the engine to low speed. If you must twist the garment and emblem, raise the shoe of the sewing machine, but do not move the needle. Twist the clothes, then lower the shoes.
- If you're sewing by hand, don't rush so that your stitches are evenly spaced and sew straight. Use a straight sewing pattern.
Step 6. Lock your stitches with a knot or using a sewing machine
Once you've finished sewing all the sides of the emblem, lock your stitches.
Take a pair of scissors and cut off the excess thread. Leave 1 cm of thread remaining. Leaving a bit of thread will ensure you don't cut the knot
summary
To sew the emblem by hand, position and attach the emblem using a needle or ironing hem strip. Use a needle and thread and poke the needle from the inside of the garment outwards. Push the needle through the emblem and uniform at a point about 64 mm from the first hole. Continue removing and threading the needle through the emblem and uniform at a distance of 64 mm until all sides of the emblem are sewn tightly. Make a knot, then cut the remaining thread.
Tips
- If the emblem is within reach of a sewing machine, you can sew it with a machine. If the machine uses a top down thread stitch, the top thread must match the outer side of the emblem. The bottom thread should match the back of the fabric.
- If the pins are making your emblem too wavy and difficult to sew, you can use a stapler and remove the staple once you're done sewing. A fusible web or adhesive net can also be used to temporarily attach the badge until you can use the machine to sew.
- If you're having trouble getting the needle through the badge and uniform, use a thimble to protect your fingers.
- It may be easier to use ironed adhesive than to sew on the badge (see how to glue the badge using an ironing hem strip for more details).
- The recommended needle is a needle for sewing leather or gloves.
- An ironed and sewn emblem will look great even after several years and hundreds of washings.
Warning
- Many organizations provide emblems that can be glued together by ironing. So check this first before sewing the emblem.
- If you only iron the emblem (without sewing it on), the emblem will gradually loosen and come off. Depending on what you're doing while wearing the uniform, the emblem may get caught in pointed objects and tree branches. Sewing will strengthen the bond.
